Silicon Valley-based Solar Junction signs agreement with Amonix

25. February 2013 | By: Solar Junction

Silicon Valley-based solar energy company Solar Junction, a developer of high efficiency multi-junction solar energy cells for the concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market, has signed a co-development agreement with Amonix, a leading designer and manufacturer of utility-scale CPV solar power systems.

"This agreement solidifies a new partnership between two advanced technology leaders in CPV," said Pat McCullough, Chief Executive Officer at Amonix.

"It's our goal, by combining our world record module technology with Solar Junction's world record solar cell, that we can increase efficiencies while driving CPV costs down. The results of this collaboration, and its lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), will be revealed soon."

In October 2012, Solar Junction surpassed its own world record, achieving 44% efficiency at a concentration of 942 suns.

Amonix secured the world record for a CPV module in May of 2012, by converting over one-third (33.5%) of the energy of direct sunlight into electricity. This record is internationally recognized as the gold standard for solar power efficiency.

Together, these benchmarks for high concentration photovoltaics confirm these companies have a roadmap to reach the forecasted 30% cost reduction compared to photovoltaic (PV)1 The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) verified both records.

Solar Junction's new record continues to demonstrate the value of its A-SLAM materials, which uniquely provide CPV system manufacturers the foundation to deliver the most efficient conversion of solar to electrical energy. CPV panels work by concentrating sunlight onto small multi-junction cells, which Solar Junction manufactures at its North San Jose facility.